Blues eye Hulk deal

Sky Sports understands that Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal for Porto star Hulk.

Chelsea pushing for Brazilian ace

Sky Sports understands that Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal for Porto star Hulk. The Brazilian international is currently with the national team following another highly successful campaign in Portugal. He insists he remains happy at the Estadio do Dragao, but he has also suggested that he would look at any offers and his agent has been quoted as hinting the time is now right to move on. Chelsea have long been admirers of the dynamic forward, who can play through the middle or out wide. Porto have previously insisted that any club wanting him would need to pay his release clause of around £80million - but with that an unrealistic prospect they are believed to be ready to relent. And Sky Sports has learnt that a deal worth around £38million is close to being struck between the two clubs. It is widely reported that Hulk's representative is now on his way to Europe to talk to Chelsea, along with any other interested parties. Real Madrid and Barcelona are also long-term admirers, but Chelsea now very much appear to be in pole position to secure his signature. The European champions are wasting little time in making an impact in the transfer market having already agreed a deal for Marko Marin, while they are also widely understood to have won the battle to sign Eden Hazard.